CARACAS, Venezuela  Venezuela’s vice president has urged supporters to vote for President Hugo Chavez’s allies in gubernatorial elections, while opponents call that a blatant violation of electoral law.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro implored voters: “Let’s not fail Chavez.” He addressed those who hadn’t cast ballots yet, saying “let’s not make a bad impression with our commander Chavez.”

Maduro spoke at a news conference while polls were open during Sunday’s elections. The opposition said his remarks violated a prohibition on campaigning on election day, and called for the National Electoral Council to take action.

Councilmember Vicente Diaz called for Maduro’s news conference to be halted. It ended shortly afterward, and Maduro left without addressing the issue.